Iranian vessel Mozaffari facts for kids
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|} The Mozaffari (Persian: مظفری) was a special kind of ship called a steam yacht. It was later changed into a gunboat, which is a small warship. This ship was first launched in 1899 in Belgium as a regular merchant ship, carrying goods for trade.
Later, in 1902, it was bought to be a royal yacht for Mozaffar ad-Din Shah Qajar, who was the ruler of Persia (now Iran). The Mozaffari served in the Persian navy from 1902 to 1914. It was used again by Iran between 1918 and 1936. During World War I, the Royal Navy (Britain's navy) took control of the ship in 1914 and used it until 1918.
Contents
The Ship's Early Life and Purpose
The Mozaffari was built in Nantes, France, in 1899. When it was first launched, its name was Selika. It was owned by a person named Robert Osterrieth.
Soon after it was built, a famous explorer named Adrien de Gerlache became its captain. He used the Selika for an adventure to the Persian Gulf. His goal was to find pearls. On its journey, the Selika stopped at places like Muscat and Bahrain.
Serving the Persian Empire
In 1902, the ship was bought by the Persian government. It was renamed Mozaffari after the Shah (ruler) of Persia, Mozaffar ad-Din Shah Qajar. It became his royal yacht, a fancy ship for the ruler.
In April 1904, the Mozaffari was part of an important mission. It helped to raise the Persian flag on the islands of Abu Musa and Tunbs. This happened after the flags of Sharjah were removed from these islands.
World War I and Later Years
During World War I, in 1914, the British Royal Navy took control of the Mozaffari. They used it for their own purposes during the war. After the war ended in 1918, the ship was returned to Iran.
An American diplomat wrote in 1925 that the Mozaffari and another ship called Persepolis were the two biggest ships in Iran's navy at that time. The Mozaffari continued to serve in the Imperial Iranian Navy until around 1936. At that time, it was "stricken," which means it was officially removed from the list of active ships.
See also
- List of ship launches in 1899
- Historical Iranian Navy vessels
| History | |
|---|---|
 Belgium |
|
| Name | Selika |
| Owner | Robert Osterrieth |
| Launched | 1899 |
| Homeport | Antwerp |
| Fate | Sold |
| History | |
 Iran |
|
| Namesake | Mozaffar ad-Din Shah Qajar |
| Operator | Persian Customs |
| Acquired | 1902 |
| Commissioned | 1903 |
| Renamed | Mozaffari |
| Captured | 1914 |
| History | |
 United Kingdom |
|
| Operator | Royal Navy |
| Recommissioned | 1914 |
| Decommissioned | 1918 |
| Refit | 1918 |
| Homeport | Bombay |
| Fate | Returned to Iran |
| History | |
 Iran |
|
| Operator | Imperial Iranian Navy |
| Recommissioned | 1918 |
| Stricken | c. 1936 |
| Fate | Stricken c.1936 |
| General characteristics | |
| Displacement | 400 tonnes |
| Length | 40.0 m (131 ft 3 in) |
| Beam | 8.0 m (26 ft 3 in) |
| Draft | 3.5 m (11 ft 6 in) |
| Propulsion | Steam |
| Speed | 12 knots (22 km/h) |
